I have been looking on ebay and I seem to have a good choice of Anniversary Speeds and some Pacemakers.
The Pacemaker seems to have a simpler focal plane shutter.
I want one where there are no problems with either shutters or bellows and I can use it right away.
Is there any major weight difference between the two?

I can't say about the weight difference? I'm sure someone else can though.

As far as what camera. First off, that depends mostly on what you like. I know most of us can't hand hold all the models and choose that way... Back when I bought my first Graphic, I did a lot of reading, asked some questions, found graflex.org, and bought a Pacemaker Speed...

My personal recommendation. Buy a Pacemaker Speed

And seriously... You want a dependable camera in good shape that needs no work. The Anniversary is quite a bit older and did not have a FP shutter that held up with time as I understand. The Pacemaker shutter was made out of a better material, or at least newer. Plus the simpler opperation.

Then there's the choice of the top or side range finder. To tell the truth, I prefer the side mounted one. Mostly because I don't use it at all! I have a top mounted model and it's nice. But getting cams for the rangefinder is too difficult. Changing them is a pain. And I don't like to use rangefinders... So my personal favorite is my side mounted Pacemaker, which is oddly enough the first one I bought

You could also check out the Super Graphic. Very nice camera with more front movements. But it doesn't have the moving, linked focus rails inside the body which makes using very short lenses a bit more difficult. And they're almost twice the cost!

The ultimate choice is yours, but my vote (for anyone) is for a side mounted rangefinder Pacemaker Speed. Or Crown if you don't want the shutter...


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"Ya just can't have too many GVIIs"
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<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: RichS on 2003-11-19 13:11 ]</font>

The Anny FP material held up well, it's the Pre-Ann stuff that is turning to concrete.

First of why do you want an Focal Plane shutter?

A Pace Crown is lighter than either the Anny or Pace Speed, and finding one with a Spring back instead of the overated Graflok back will save some more weight.

The Anny FP shutter doesn't always give meter friendly speeds, so not all speeds are readily usable such as 1/290 1/70, 1/360 etc. It's the Pace that has the half or double speeds.

The Crown Graphic are much more sought after for the very reason that people don't want the focal plane shutter.
The sort of price range im considering mean Anniversaries & Pacemakers, but not complete kits. They usually attract very heavy bidding
A Super is out of my price range i'm afraid.
Pre-Anniversaries are just collectors items.

Well,
I am a proud owner of a Pre-Ann, but I guess it IS sort of a collector's item. The newest ones are now pushing 65!

My Pre-Ann is my only Graflex. (It's FP shutter has a bit of squeak and probably needs a good clean, lube, and adjustment, but I like using it anyhow.)

I bought it because it was in my price range, had good bellows, good side handle, had the Kalart side rangefinder, and a 13.5 cm Zeiss lens in dial-set Compur shutter. There is no body flash-sync for the FP shutter as in some later models and this old Compur didn't have flash sync, so I took it off (sticky anyway) and put on a 127mm Ektar in Synchro-Compur, which gives me M and X sync via an ASA (bayonet) sync plug.

I got an ASA-to-PC adapter cord, and now I can flash pretty much any type of bulb or electronic flash with the Pre-Ann (using the lens shutter, not the FP shutter, of course)!

Right now, I'm having fun with an older Polaroid 500 film holder and Type 57 film (ASA 3000!).

Just my 2 cents...

--Micah in NC

Hey, Les, just curious: can you share your thoughts about why you think the Graflok back is overrated?

Henry

the myth is that the Graflok back can do "so much more" than a spring back. It can

use Graphic Roll film holders
use Polaroid Pack film holders
use Grafmatic holders
use digital backs.

A Spring Back can

use Calumet and Horseman 120 roll holders and keep the film flatter than the knob winds and are better built than the lever wind roll holders. These are also easier to use as they slide in and out like a film holder, so you don't need to pop the glass off and on

use The 545 series and of Polaroid backs.

use Grafmatics too. Just don't store the holder in the camera.

Can use digibacks with the "roll film spring adapter kit" but really, is anybody thinking of hanging a $20,000 dollar digiback on a Speed besides me?

Les